WMPH Boycotts Music First Coalition Artists

WMPH made an educational boycott for one month simply to make a statement in the music industry.  The musicFirst coalition wants radio stations to pay the artist for playing their music.  From mid-June through mid-July 2007, WMPH refused to play songs by any artist affiliated with the musicFirst coalition. 

The National Association of Broadcasters is fighting efforts by musicFirst, a new coalition of recording artists, including Christina Aguilera, Rihanna, and Natasha Bedingfield, demanding performance royalties from radio stations. "Congress has long recognized that radio airplay of music generates millions of dollars in revenue for record labels and artists," said Dennis Wharton, NAB spokesman. "Were it not for radio's free promotional airplay of music on stations all over America, most successful recording artists would still be playing in a garage."

Radio has always been the best friend of the music industry.  Without radio playing new songs released by the record labels, there would be no ‘pop’ music.  Since the early days of rock and roll, radio has helped define the culture of America and build the careers of many artists. 

The musicFirst coalition of artists is attempting to hurt the radio stations, disc jockeys, and fans that have always been their greatest ally. Radio has done so much to promote their careers by playing their music frequently, interviewing them, and mentioning their concerts and events on the air. Artists make their money by record sales and performing at concerts. Without radio's free publicity for over 60 years, most artists would likely be neither rich nor famous.

There are thousands of artists, musicians, and bands that desperately wish to be heard on the radio. Radio stations are not required to play any particular artist or genre of music.  If artists want radio stations to pay them for playing their music, then radio station should be paid for mentioning the artist on the air.  Artists get unlimited name recognition from radio stations.  This is beneficial to the new artists and the veteran artists of yesterday.

Artists affiliated with the coalition may be found online at http://www.musicfirstcoalition.org (click About then Founding Artists).

We said NO to this insatiable greed.  During the month of our boycott, few listeners even missed the boycotted artists.  WMPH and other stations across the country continue to unite against the musicFirst coalition by making verbal and written statements.  The boycott was lifted, at least for now, because we wish to restore harmony in the music community.  We hope that the artists realize that radio stations are their friends in a mutually beneficial relationship.

WMPH is a non-commercial radio station. As part of the Broadcast Learning Center of the Brandywine School District, we do not make a profit. We support the music industry and our community. Thank you for supporting us!

Please visit NoPerformanceTax.org for more details.